About the INSPIRE Native Teens Initiative

The INSPIRE Native Teens Initiative is spearhead by the The Native American Political Leadership Program (NAPLP) at The George Washington University (GW) and funded by a generous contribution from AT&T. Our Initiative is a multimedia initiative aimed at motivating indigenous high school students to finish their education and become more politically involved. With the leadership of our alumni, indigenous professionals, and advocates, we strive to promote careers and education opportunities in public service and political sectors. The INSPIRE’s ambitious plans comprise of a social media based high school outreach campaign, a precollege program in applied politics at GW, and a civics training program for high school teachers.

Over the last seven years in Washington, D.C., NAPLP has trained over one hundred American Indian, Alaska Native and Hawaiian Native college students in applied politics through its semester long political management classes, a political practicums and internship placements. Many of our alumni have gone to pursue careers in politics and advocacy with a personal passion for positively influencing their respective communities.

It is with this same passion that NAPLP and our alumni join ongoing efforts to increase the high school graduation rate among indigenous students and provide career guidance into the public sector. Through the tradition of storytelling and the creation of a resourceful website, we hope Native youth find the aspirations and tools to seize opportunities for civic engagement at all levels.